In the heart of Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia, two young men are weaving a tale of compassion and resilience. Aydarus Mustafa Arab and Abdillahi Abdi Muse have become essential figures in a grassroots blood donor network, actively assisting hundreds of patients who desperately need transfusions, particularly those with rare blood types. Their approach? Harnessing the power of social media and unwavering community engagement.
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In a region where medical resources are scarce, Abdillahi and Aydarus have taken on the role of life-savers. For over eleven years, Abdillahi has volunteered, tirelessly bridging the gap between blood donors and patients in need. “In 2024 alone, I coordinated donations for over 400 patients,” he shared, a hint of pride in his voice. “Families send me urgent requests for specific blood types, and I post those calls for help on Facebook. Miraculously, people respond within hours, and I am able to connect them directly.”
Aydarus’s journey into blood donation started from a deeply personal experience. As a universal blood donor with O-negative blood, he initially felt compelled to help out of sheer necessity. “One night, I donated eight bags of blood to a young girl in dire condition,” he recalled. “Then, another patient required assistance. It was right then that I became aware of how urgent the need really is.”
To streamline their efforts and enhance their impact, Aydarus created a database that now boasts over 1,500 potential volunteers, meticulously categorized by blood type. Notably, some rare types require more immediate attention. “For instance, we have only 17 individuals with AB-negative blood. It’s a persistent challenge we face,” he explained, underscoring the complexities of their mission.
Patients relying on their services often hail from far-flung regions, often without family to advocate for them in times of crisis. Abdillahi pointed out, “Most people I assist have come to Hargeisa from other areas. They lack a support system, making our work even more crucial.”
Their volunteer efforts have become indispensable in North Western State of Somalia, where the healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped, and formal blood banks are perpetually understocked. Yet, despite the profound impact they have made, some misconceptions linger. “People sometimes think we’re acting as brokers or receiving payment,” Aydarus noted with a hint of frustration. “In truth, it’s entirely voluntary. We do this because we want to help.”
The effect of their work on individuals and families cannot be overstated. Mustafa Mohamed Deeq, a patient who benefited from Abdillahi’s efforts, expressed his gratitude profoundly. “When I was in critical condition, Abdillahi found a donor in mere hours. Apart from God, he saved my life.”
Similarly, Ikraan Yasin shared a touching account of how Aydarus helped her family. “My sister was hemorrhaging and required blood urgently. I was given Aydarus’s contact information. Within a few hours, he had successfully connected us with a donor. His assistance brought us relief in an era of distress.”
As the World Health Organization observes World Blood Donor Day on June 14, the theme for this year—“Donate blood, give hope: Together we can save lives”—resonates powerfully in North Western State of Somalia’s capital, where Aydarus and Abdillahi have transformed a simple mobile phone and a community message board into a powerful lifeline.
In the world of healthcare activism, it’s often the smallest gestures that yield the most profound outcomes. What’s stopping you from making a difference today?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
